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Rotary Roots Of Peace Penny Campaign
In the spirit of the Rotary International theme of “Rotary Shares,” the Rotary Club of San Francisco is delighted to partner with Roots of Peace in the “Rotary Roots of Peace Penny Campaign” as a demonstrated example of Rotarians sharing for the good of others. The goal of the Campaign is to inspire Rotarians, youth and community members to collect pennies and spare change to rebuild mine-affected communities in war-torn countries. Campaign funds will remove landmines in rural communities and replant agricultural lands and construct schools, soccer fields, and playgrounds enabling children of war-torn countries to take safe steps forward for peace. There are an estimated 70 million landmines silently poised in over 70 countries. Remarkably, every week, Rotarians meet in 67 of these countries. Our fellow Rotarians understand first hand the devastating impact of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) within their communities which cause civilian casualties; prevent the cultivation of land; stop the movement of people and goods; and hinder political and economic stability. Through this campaign, we will call upon Rotarians worldwide to “give their 2 cents for peace” by contributing their smallest denominations of currency to enable Roots of Peace to eliminate toxic minefields and build safe schools and playing fields for children and bountiful agricultural lands for rural communities to thrive in these mine-affected countries. From the earliest days of the organization, Rotarians were concerned with promoting high ethical standards in their professional lives.One of the world’s most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics is The 4-Way Test, which was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (who later served as RI President).Adopted by Rotary in 1943 in the midst of World War II, The 4-Way Test was translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways. Today, as we return to our “Rotary Roots” under the leadership of RI President Wilford Wilkinson, we invoke these important words as we strive to win a war on terrorism from the ground up—by removing landmines and building healthy communities by planting the roots of peace on earth. Of the things we think, say or do: Is it the truth? The TRUTH is that eradication of poverty begins with the removal of a landmine. Is it FAIR to all concerned? It is FAIR that Rotarians meet every day in 60 countries without a landmine problem. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? It will build GOODWILL and FRIENDSHIP worldwide when children can play on soccer fields and in school yards free from the fear of landmines and the “seeds of terror.” Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? It is BENEFICIAL to all that we share a “harvest of hope” creating fair play and mutual goals for all. How to Participate It is simple to participate. Order your coin collection canisters and start collecting spare change in your business, or reach out to local schools to engage students to participate in the Penny Campaign, or engage your local businesses or community members to participate. Take action today! Donations Send all Rotary Club member donations to The Rotary Club of San Francisco. Donations will be periodically forwarded to Roots of Peace who will implement defined projects in mine-affected countries through its local, in-country offices.
Every penny counts as 100% of funds raised go directly towards programs to help kids in Afghanistan and other war-torn countries. Reporting Roots of Peace will provide detailed reports on all projects funded by the Rotary Roots of Peace Campaign. The reports will include the project objectives, activities from inception to completion, “before” and “after” photos, and a complete financial accounting of how funds were put to use. Rotarians are invited to visit project sites while projects are underway or after project completion. Roots of Peace will also present projects to the local Rotary Clubs, if present in-country where projects take place. Roots of Peace is supporting the efforts to initiate a new Rotary Club of Kabul, Afghanistan whose members would be kept apprised of all project activity. Background The Roots of Peace Penny Campaign was co-founded in 2004 by ABC 7/KGO news anchor Cheryl Jennings, Fellow Rotarian and Roots of Peace Founder Heidi Kuhn, and her daughter Kyleigh Kuhn. The women, inspired by their own experiences visiting minefields in the Balkans, launched the student program to help heal the wounds of war where landmines are daily seeds of terror for innocent children. Program sponsor include, ABC 7/KGO TV, Bank of Marin, Loomis Fargo & Co., Marin Independent Journal, United Nations, and U.S. Department of State. The Campaign has raised an astounding 15 million pennies since its inception!
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